Firms in Essex are being urged to make contingency plans in case of a terror attack.

The Essex branch of the Institute of Directors said that while its members take such a threat seriously, more needs to be done to ensure security.

Branch chairman Nicholas Cook said: "Managers and owners are concerned with terrorism because of the threat that it poses to employees, to customers and to the viability of their businesses."

An IoD survey showed most firms had taken a variety of security measures from stricter risk assessment to improved staff references.

But Mr Cook said: "49 per cent of businesses do not have any contingency plans to help them cope with a terrorist attack and 23 per cent spend virtually nothing on security.

"In the light of the warnings from the Government and security services, all firms should draw up business continuity plans, test them regularly and train staff to act upon them."

The proposals were also endorsed by the Essex Federation of Small Businesses whose regional organiser Terry Taber said: "I suspect most small firms believe any attack would be on the large institutions but you never know what's round the corner. "

The IoD survey showed:

72 per cent of firms allocated between one and five per cent of turnover on security measures

69 per cent routinely check staff contracts and references

52 per cent have carried out risk assessment on possible threats

48 per cent had taken steps to improve physical security of buildings

47 per cent had improved access security

29 per cent had improved perimeter security

17 per cent had improved mail handling.

Published Thursday February 24, 2005

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette